I like the silver black and blue combo but I don't have $3k to burn right now so for now I'm stuck with my black bike which I don't like the colour simply because I want a bike that's at least visible in low light conditions.

Well we do pay a lot more for cars and the colours available are usually ones that are common. The turnover for a select number of colours for bikes is probably pretty low. Considering there'll be more people buying cars than push bikes, then a smaller percentage still for people who buy the 'better' brands, e.g. Trek, Specialised, Giant etc. and then shrink that percentage even further for people who'd actually buy road/racing bikes. You wouldn't get enough profit for different colours.

We bought more bikes than cars and given the simplicity of bikes, why isn't there frames of different colours and the bike shop build it up in the 0, 1, 2, 3 specs. You can't tell me the TCR Adv bikes have different frames from 0 to 3. Same for the Defy Comp being all the same and Defy Adv. I remember buying a bike for my wife and it was an ugly teal colour (Cross City 4W). Certainly didn't want the bike even though spec-wise, it was exactly what we wanted. If cost is an issue, then charge a colour option. Why doesn't someone just do something differently and be a trend setter rather than do the same old year in, year out. We all know this time of the year, bike companies bring out next year's range so this year's stuff is on discount. It's all too predictable.

ppywong wrote:In a way I agree with you Waramatt. The specs is the most important in the bike.

I had a choice between TCR Advanced 0 2012 vs Scultura, and even though Scultura did look better than the TCR, I felt the Giant's bike had better bang for bucks. The only reason I didn't buy it was because the 2013 was on its way for release and I wanted to wait to see specs of 2013. Now that it's about to be released, I feel I'd be happy to wait for the price to come down with the 2013 model to give me just one more reason to love the bike. The only reason I wouldn't buy the 2013 is if the 2012 model comes down a significant amount in price.

We'll see!

exactly the same choice i had 3 weeks ago,

i went with the 2012 TCR 0, the main reason the Giant had FULL shimano ultegra DI2 groupset, the Merida had no name brakes, FSA cranks, tiagra casette, another brand chain and the only shimano ultegra was the shifters and mechs, the giant was also a few hundred cheaper and i personally love the colours on it,

ive only done 400km or so on it but i LOVE the DI2, it just works perfectly, the changes are fast and smooth even with up out of the seat.

One massive advantage of the silver is road grime doesnt seems to show up at all. My other bike is white which needs to be washed every 3rd ride whereas I don't think I've washed this more than 2-3 times in 4 months.

TCR advanced is fully carbon frame. it uses a lower grade carbon fibre compared to the TCR Advanced SL. The SL uses toRay 8 carbon while the non SL TCR uses toray 700. Both are still full carbon, just different grade resulting in different weight and stiffness.

Actually swaying towards the SL1 but it is non Di2 which might be good, I can't be bothered worrying about battery charge.

Is there any additional service requirements for Di2? Harder to clean?

I want a black bike but would I pay $1,400 for black if I opt for the TCR Adv 0....

JM

Battery charges. Im getting minimum 1500k's out of a charge, obviously depends on how many gear changes you make, but there is also a battery meter to tell you when to charge it back up and seems to recharge a lot quicker than a phone or anything like that. There is plenty of nut jobs on here that will tell you otherwise but.

Servicing. There is no cables to stretch or knobs to tune. Im over 4000k's now and hasnt skipped a beat in terms of shifting from day 1 to now. For me this where di2 wins hands down, my bike with mechanical groupset starts to get a mind of its own once the chain gets to this age.

Cleaning. Exactly the same as mechanical. Ridden through rain and puddles, no problems.

Checked out the whole range today at Giant Sydney. Noted that the TCR Advanced 1, which last year was the Advanced 2 has lost its wheels to a lower model in the Giant in-house range.The other difference is the chain.

I just don't like the red/white of the TCR Advanced 1. I would live with the Silver/blue of the 2012 Advanced 0 for a $1,000 saving but alas it is getting hard to nail down one in M/L. I'll make some calls and see what turns up.

Might have to step up to the 2013 TCR Advanced 0 at $3,999 or wait for that factory backed sale to save 20%... I imagine once the heat goes out of the 2013 range they will launch the sale. It is a slippery slope if I decide to splash out $3,999 then why not go an extra $500 and try to get a TCR SL1 (2012),

Ultegra Di2 > Mechanical Dura ace? Hmmm

Interesting Giant Sydney sold both of their TCR Advanced 1's this morning which included the display one. Pretty popular machines.

So rode the 2013 Adv0 on the weekend for about 45min (20km). Not completely sold on Di2. Took a bit of getting used to and the bike wasn't setup exactly how i like it (handlebar wise) so it was hard to get comfortable. I liked it but did miss the resistance/feedback you get with mechanical.

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